Mark Messner, a leading researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, has been recognized by the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for his work updating design rules for high-temperature nuclear reactors, making the rules easier to understand and apply.
Messner played a key role in reorganizing complex design rules into a more user-friendly format, which will be included in the 2025 edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. This update is significant because it integrates modern computerized design methods that help designers simulate and analyze how reactor components will perform under various conditions. Ultimately, this leads to safer and more efficient reactor designs.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from ASME,” Messner said. “Our work on updating these rules has been a team effort, and it’s rewarding to see our contributions recognized by such a respected organization. This award highlights the importance of our work and Argonne’s leadership in advancing nuclear technology.”
With renewed interest in building high-temperature reactors, designers are revisiting essential safety guidelines. Messner’s involvement in the recent rewrite of the rules for Class A components, those with the highest safety significance, has made these guidelines more accessible and easier to understand.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from ASME. Our work on updating these rules has been a team effort, and it’s rewarding to see our contributions recognized by such a respected organization. This award highlights the importance of our work and Argonne’s leadership in advancing nuclear technology.” — Mark Messner, Argonne researcher
This reorganization helps reactor vendors quickly learn and apply the rules to their designs, ensuring that new reactors are both safe and efficient. As the demand for high-temperature reactors grows, these updated rules will play a crucial role in guiding the next generation of nuclear technology.
Throughout his career at Argonne, Messner has been at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to nuclear reactor design and analysis. His work has consistently pushed the boundaries of engineering, contributing to safer and more efficient nuclear technologies. Messner’s achievements reflect Argonne's commitment to innovation and excellence, positioning the laboratory as a leader in the field.
The award was presented to Messner and fellow collaborators Yanli Wang, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Heramb Mahajan, Idaho National Laboratory; and several industry partners from Becht, TerraPower, and Westinghouse, during a ceremony celebrating engineers who have made significant impacts in their fields.
Messner’s research is supported by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, continuing progress in nuclear engineering and technology. “Codes and standards are important in ensuring the next generation of reactors are safe and economically competitive,” Messner said.
Messner’s recognition by ASME highlights his individual accomplishments and reinforces Argonne’s role as a leader in groundbreaking research and development.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s mission is to advance nuclear power to meet the nation’s energy, environmental and national security needs. For more information, visit the Office of Nuclear Energy website.
